Analysis of Bop (Langston Hughes)

In Bop, Langston Hughes highlights prominent cultural issues through a straightforward dialogue between two characters. Discussing the music, “be - bop”, one character, Simple explains its origins and purpose to a nameless narrator, who is oblivious to the current trend. In Bop, written in 1949, the author, Langston Hughes, emphasizes a controversial issue of the time, racial inequality. His work and influence during the Harlem Renaissance protested black suppression and his poetry expressed his feelings toward the problem and his pride of his culture. In the essay, he writes to illustrate common prejudices and their influence on aspects of culture, including music. Intending the audience to be those unaware of black discrimination and its cultural effect, Hughes strategically uses colloquialism and allusions. His use of colloquialism is evident when Simple uses informal jargon and slang, at one point, stating, “‘That’s why so many white folks don’t dig Bop’” (191). Simple’s broken language helps the narrator and reader easily grasp the significant issue. Hughes uses allusions, which is clear when Simple explains that the origin of the music is from the police. He describes that the sounds used in the music come from white police officers hitting black people on the head. He says, “‘White folks do not get their heads beat just for being white. But me - a cop is liable to grab me almost any time and beat my head - just for being colored’” (191). This is not only a direct statement from Simple, regarding the racial issues of his area, but just one example, alluding to the greater problem of racial inequality and how prejudices and personal bias are affecting the justice of black - american citizens. These strategies helped Langston Hughes to achieve his purpose. After reading, I had gathered a better understanding of the prevalence of racial inequality and how it truly stirred black americans. In Bop, Langston Hughes provides readers with a glimpse of a controversial time in history, and how society significantly shapes cultures all over the world.

An Oblivious Trend-Setter 
By beating black citizens, white policemen unknowingly inspired the music “Be - bop”. Source: Detriots-great-rebellion.com